'They Were Busy Treating Doubts' - President William Ruto Dismisses Critics as Talanta Stadium Nears Completion

President William Ruto has hit back at critics while expressing his excitement over the ongoing progress at Talanta Sports City, which is being prepared ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

He shared a video of himself touring the stadium and inspecting the developments, signalling that he is pleased with the quality of work and the pace at which the project is moving.

The President highlighted that many people had initially doubted how the stadium would turn out, but he is proud that the visible progress has effectively proven the sceptics wrong.

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Looking ahead, he expressed optimism that once the stadium is fully completed, it will impress both athletes and fans alike, providing a world-class venue for sports and entertainment events.

“They were busy treating doubts. We trusted the process. Now look, see for yourselves. Talanta Stadium is right here. Hii ni noma sana, mtapenda (This is really awesome, you will love it),” William Ruto said.

The construction of the Talanta Sports City has reached a monumental milestone, with work now over 80% complete as of February 2026.

This 60,000-seater ultra-modern facility, located at the Jamhuri Grounds along Ngong Road, is being fast-tracked to serve as the centrepiece for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya expressed high confidence in the project's timeline, stating: "The stadium's progress underscores Kenya's readiness and capacity, alongside the PAMOJA partner countries, to successfully host the continental tournament in line with the vision of President William Ruto."

Designed specifically for football and rugby, the stadium lacks a traditional athletics track to ensure an intimate, high-energy atmosphere for fans.

Meanwhile, the project, funded through an innovative KSh 44.7 billion infrastructure bond, includes three training pitches, luxury skyboxes, and integrated rail links to ease fan transportation.

Major structural work is expected to wrap up by March 2026, marking Kenya’s most significant sports investment since the 1980s.